Explosive cartridge connector



Get. w, 3950 R; Mcg RR 2,525,103

EXPLOSIVE CARTRIDGE CONNECTOR Filed Nov. 5, 1946 EZCHIIIP H 25 J l l v I 1 1 Fig.3 1 L I Roberr McGi rr, INVENTOR.

Patented Oct. 10, 1950 EXPLOSIVE CARTRIDGE CONNECTOR Robert McGirr, Pottsville, Pa., assignor to Atlas Powder Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application November 5, 1946, Serial No. 707,810

1 Claim. (01. 102-24) The present invention relates to explosive assemblies.

An object of the present invention is the provision of an improved means for connecting explosive cartridges together.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved explosive cartridge assembly.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved column of explosive cartridges.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

A recent development which has found favor in the explosives art has been the joining of explosive cartridges in end-to-end relation by means of sleeves covering the joints between the cartridges. Several different means have been suggested for holding the sleeves to the cartridges as, for example, male and female threads along the lengths of the cartridges and sleeves. Joined cartridges have found particular application in seismograph prospecting procedures.

According to the present invention, a connector unit is made up of a longitudinally split tube externally threaded so that the threads taper toward each end of the tube.

An explosive column employing connector units of the type of the invention includes connector units around adjacent joined cartridges and sleeves between adjacent connector units covering the joints between cartridges. The sleeves are screwed up on to the connector units compressing the connector units so that they grip the cartridges firmly and a rigid assembly is produced.

The invention will be further described in connection with the drawing which illustrates a specific embodiment and in which:

Figure l is an elevation of a connector unit;

Figure 2 is a cross section of the connector unit of Figure 1 taken on line 22 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is an elevation of a part of a column of explosive cartridges connected by means of connector units such as are shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, II is generally cylindrical tube slotted alon its length at i3. Tube tapers from an unthreaded center portion I5 toward its ends. The tapering portions are provided with threads (not all of which are numbered, for the sake of clarity). Threads H in addition to being located on tapering surfaces progressively decrease in height proceeding away from center portion l5.

Referring to Figure 3, 2| and 23 are explosive 2 cartridges; 25- and 21 are sleeves dimensioned to slide over cartridges 2| and 23; and 29 and 3| are connector units each similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 and dimensioned to slide easily over cartridges 2| and 23.

In preparing the assembly of Figure 3, connector unit 29 is slipped, over cartridge 2|, sleeve 25 is also slipped over cartridge 2| and is screwed up on connector unit 29. Cartridge 23 is then slipped into sleeve 25, connector unit 3| is slipped over cartridge 23; sleeve 21 is slipped over cartridge 23; and sleeves 21 and 25 are screwed up on to connector unit 3|. The column may be increased in length indefinitely by similarly assembling the units.

It is to be noted that since the connector units are threaded in the same direction on both ends, as is shown on Figure l, a turning of either of two sleeves joined to the same connector unit screws both sleeves up on to the connector unit. Also it is to be observed that as sleeves are screwed up on to a connector unit, the unit, because of its longitudinal slit, is compressed and firmly grips its underlying cartridge. The undersurface of the connector units may be burred or otherwise roughened to improve this gr pp action, but such treatment is not usually found necessary.

The connector units of the invention may be made of any convenient material which will hold a thread, usually metal or plastic materials will be employed. If of metal, connector units may be made, for example, by threading tube stock or by stamping from sheet stock. If made of plastic they may conveniently either bemolded or turned and threaded from tube stock.

The connector units need not contain an unthreaded center portion such as is'shown at I5 in Figure 1; It is important, however, that the threaded portions be tapered. The tapered threaded portion may be provided by tapering the base or by graduating the height of the thread, or as is shown in Figure l, by both these means.

While it is usually preferred that the connector unit be split in one continuous longitudinal line as shown in the drawings, the unit may be split part way through from one end and part way through from the other end. In this last mentioned modification, it is generally preferred that the slits be ofiset and that at least one of them extend more than half the length of the unit.

The unit also may be supplied with several short slits in each end in addition to the longer slit or slits,

The explosive shells and the sleeves may be made of any convenient material. It is preferred to make the sleeves of material sufficiently soft that the threads on the connector units will cut into them, otherwise it may be desired to thread the sleeves as well as the connector units. Desirably the sleeves and the shells are made of heavy laminated paper such as is usually employed for seismograph cartridges and sleeves. When made of such paper the sleeves readily screw on to the connector units and draw up to form a tight assembly.

What is claimed is:

An explosive assembly comprising a plurality of explosive cartridges in end-to-end relation; connector units on adjacent cartridges; each said connector unit comprising a longitudinally split tubular member, dimensioned to fit over one of said explosive cartridges, threads on the external surfaces of said tubular member extending from each end, the threaded portions of said tubular member and the height of said threads tapering 4' towards each end; laminated paper sleeves bridging the joints between adjacent cartridges and screwed up On said connector units so that the threads on said units bite into said sleeves; whereby said connector units are compressed about and grip said cartridges, and said sleeves hold said cartridges together.

ROBERT McGIRR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

